What Is an Intrusion Alarm System?
Mix (12 tools)
- License: 3 open source · 9 proprietary
- Hosting: 5 self-hosted · 1 SaaS · 6 both
An intrusion detection / alarm system (also called a burglar alarm or security alarm) detects unauthorized entry into a building or area and raises an alert. Unlike video surveillance (which records) or access control (which grants or denies entry at doors), an intrusion system watches for the presence of an intruder through sensors and then notifies occupants, a keypad, an app, and – for monitored systems – a professional monitoring centre that can dispatch police or a guard.
A complete system combines a control panel (the hub), a set of sensors (contacts, motion, glass-break, environmental), one or more keypads or apps for arming and disarming, and a communication path (cellular, IP, or POTS) to reach a monitoring station or the owner. Modern systems increasingly converge with video and access control into a single security platform, but the alarm panel remains the decision-making core.
About this data & disclaimer
The information on these pages was researched by a combination of human review and large language models. This catalogue serves as a reference for the resources, applications, devices, deployment payloads, and other components that the ResorsIT platform integrates, deploys, and manages. To suggest an addition or correction, please contact us. Prepared by Rhodium Systems Inc., author of the ResorsIT platform — a unified IT operations management platform for IT teams and MSPs that integrates a curated suite of open-source, commercial, and SaaS applications into a single system with shared identity, single sign-on, access control, and a common audit trail. This information is compiled on a best-effort basis: it may be incomplete, contain errors, and become out of date as tools, vendors, licences, and features change. Use this catalogue only as a starting point for your own research, and independently verify and review any tool carefully against your own requirements before relying on it.
Comparison
SSO / OIDC Comparison
Consumer alarm apps authenticate against the vendor cloud and do not expose enterprise SSO; the notes below reflect what a management or dealer console (or a self-hosted UI behind a proxy) can integrate with an identity provider such as Authentik.
| Tool | OIDC | SAML | LDAP | Authentik Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Konnected | No | No | No | Reverse-proxy auth (via HA/host) |
| AlarmDecoder | No | No | No | Reverse-proxy auth |
| Home Assistant | Plugin | No | No | OIDC via community add-on / proxy |
| Ajax | No | No | No | Cloud app account only |
| Alarm.com | No | No | No | Dealer/cloud account only |
| Ring Alarm | No | No | No | Amazon account only |
| SimpliSafe | No | No | No | Vendor account only |
| DSC PowerSeries | No | No | No | Panel + dealer tools |
| Resideo ProSeries | No | No | No | Total Connect account |
| Bosch Intrusion | No | No | No | RPS / Bosch account |
| Qolsys IQ Panel | No | No | No | Alarm.com/dealer account |
| Napco | No | No | No | iSecure / StarLink account |
Best SSO support: Home Assistant is the only tool with a viable OIDC path (community add-ons or an identity-aware reverse proxy). Every commercial alarm platform relies on a vendor or dealer account rather than enterprise SSO.
Deployment Comparison
| Tool | Type | Self-Hosted | Cloud | Appliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Konnected | Interface board | Yes (HA/host) | No | Board |
| AlarmDecoder | Panel interface | Yes | No | Adapter |
| Home Assistant | Automation hub | Docker/native | Optional | Yes (HA OS) |
| Ajax | Wireless panel | No | Yes | Hub |
| Alarm.com | Dealer cloud | No | Yes | Via panels |
| Ring Alarm | DIY panel | No | Yes | Base station |
| SimpliSafe | DIY panel | No | Yes | Base station |
| DSC PowerSeries | Hardwired panel | No | Add-on | Panel |
| Resideo ProSeries | Hybrid panel | No | Yes (TC) | Panel |
| Bosch Intrusion | Commercial panel | No | Add-on | Panel |
| Qolsys IQ Panel | All-in-one panel | No | Yes | Panel |
| Napco | Commercial panel | No | Yes (StarLink) | Panel |
Core Features Comparison
| Feature | Konnected | AlarmDecoder | Home Assistant | Ajax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wired sensors | Yes | Via panel | Via boards | Add-on |
| Wireless sensors | Via HA | Via panel | Via integrations | Yes |
| Partitions | DIY | Via panel | DIY | Groups |
| Pro monitoring | No | No | No | Yes |
| Mobile app | HA app | HA app | HA app | Yes |
| Local control | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hybrid |
| Feature | Alarm.com | Ring Alarm | SimpliSafe | DSC PowerSeries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wired sensors | Via panel | No | No | Yes |
| Wireless sensors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Partitions | Yes | Limited | No | Yes |
| Pro monitoring | Yes | Optional | Optional | Via dealer |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Connect app |
| Local control | No | Limited | Limited | Keypad |
| Feature | Resideo ProSeries | Bosch | Qolsys IQ | Napco |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wired sensors | Yes | Yes | Add-on | Yes |
| Wireless sensors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Partitions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pro monitoring | Via dealer | Via dealer | Via dealer | Via dealer |
| Mobile app | Total Connect | RSC | Alarm.com | iSecure |
| Local control | Keypad | Keypad | Touchscreen | Keypad |
Communication & Monitoring
| Tool | Cellular | IP / Wi-Fi | Dual-Path | Monitoring Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Konnected | No | Yes | No | Self (DIY) |
| AlarmDecoder | No | Yes | No | Self (DIY) |
| Home Assistant | No | Yes | No | Self (DIY) |
| Ajax | Yes | Yes | Yes | Self or pro |
| Alarm.com | Yes | Yes | Yes | Professional |
| Ring Alarm | Yes* | Yes | Backup | Self or pro |
| SimpliSafe | Yes | Yes | Backup | Self or pro |
| DSC PowerSeries | Add-on | Add-on | Yes | Professional |
| Resideo ProSeries | Yes | Yes | Yes | Professional |
| Bosch Intrusion | Add-on | Yes | Yes | Professional |
| Qolsys IQ Panel | Yes | Yes | Yes | Professional |
| Napco | StarLink | Yes | Yes | Professional |
* = cellular backup requires the paid monitoring plan
API & Integration
| Tool | API Type | Auth | Local API |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konnected | REST / HA | Token | Yes |
| AlarmDecoder | Serial / socket | None (local) | Yes |
| Home Assistant | REST / WebSocket | Token | Yes |
| Ajax | Limited (cloud) | Account | No |
| Alarm.com | Partner API | OAuth (dealer) | No |
| Ring Alarm | Unofficial | Account | No |
| DSC PowerSeries | IT-100 / Envisalink | Local | Yes* |
| Resideo ProSeries | Total Connect API | Dealer | No |
| Bosch Intrusion | Mode 2 / RPS | Local | Yes |
| Qolsys IQ Panel | Alarm.com | Dealer | No |
| Napco | iBridge / StarLink | Account | Limited |
* = via a serial interface board (e.g., Envisalink, AlarmDecoder)
Monitoring Integration
| Tool | Telegraf Metrics | Fluent Bit Logs | Grafana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konnected | Via HA | Via HA | Via HA |
| AlarmDecoder | Via HA / socket | File / syslog | Via HA |
| Home Assistant | Prometheus export | Docker / file | Yes |
| Ajax | API polling | Cloud logs | No |
| Alarm.com | Partner API | Cloud logs | No |
| Ring Alarm | None | Cloud logs | No |
| SimpliSafe | None | Cloud logs | No |
| DSC PowerSeries | Via interface board | Via board | Via HA |
| Resideo ProSeries | API polling | Cloud logs | No |
| Bosch Intrusion | SNMP / RPS | Panel logs | No |
| Qolsys IQ Panel | API polling | Cloud logs | No |
| Napco | API polling | Cloud logs | No |
Licensing Comparison
| Tool | License | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konnected | MIT | Open hardware/SW | Board cost; no fee |
| AlarmDecoder | MIT | Open source | Adapter cost; no fee |
| Home Assistant | Apache-2.0 | Open source | Free |
| Ajax | Proprietary | Hardware + app | Hardware; optional monitoring |
| Alarm.com | Proprietary | Cloud SaaS | Dealer subscription |
| Ring Alarm | Proprietary | Hardware + SaaS | Hardware; Ring Protect plan |
| SimpliSafe | Proprietary | Hardware + SaaS | Hardware; monitoring plan |
| DSC PowerSeries | Proprietary | Commercial | Panel + dealer |
| Resideo ProSeries | Proprietary | Commercial | Panel + Total Connect |
| Bosch Intrusion | Proprietary | Commercial | Panel + dealer |
| Qolsys IQ Panel | Proprietary | Commercial | Panel + dealer/cloud |
| Napco | Proprietary | Commercial | Panel + StarLink |
Suitability Summary
Open Source Recommendations
For self-hosted, no-recurring-fee intrusion setups:
- Home Assistant – most flexible; its Alarm Control Panel and huge integration library turn existing sensors into a self-monitored system with automation, dashboards, and notifications
- Konnected – best for retrofitting existing wired sensors; open-hardware boards bridge legacy alarm wiring into HA or other platforms
- AlarmDecoder – best for keeping an existing Honeywell Vista or DSC panel while adding self-hosted monitoring and automation
Commercial Recommendations
- Ajax – best prosumer wireless system; strong radio protocol, clean app, self- or professionally monitored; good for SMB and premium residential
- Alarm.com – best professionally-monitored dealer platform; unifies intrusion, video, and access behind one branded app and monitoring service
- Bosch Intrusion – best commercial hardwired panel; robust, code- compliant, deep zone/partition support for larger sites
- DSC PowerSeries – widely deployed commercial/residential panel; strong dealer channel; open serial interfaces enable integration
- Resideo ProSeries – modern Honeywell/Resideo panels with Total Connect; strong dealer ecosystem and encrypted sensors
- Qolsys IQ Panel – best all-in-one touchscreen panel; commonly paired with Alarm.com for a polished monitored experience
- Napco – strong commercial panels plus StarLink cellular communicators; good for retrofits needing reliable signalling
- Ring Alarm / SimpliSafe – best DIY/no-contract options for homes and very small offices; easy self-install and flexible monitoring
MSP Integration Notes
- Self-hosted tools: deploy Home Assistant (Docker) with Telegraf/Grafana for panel/sensor health and Authentik SSO via an identity-aware proxy
- Cloud/dealer platforms: minimal infrastructure; monitor availability via API polling; there is no enterprise SSO on the consumer apps
- Convergence: intrusion integrates with video (alarm verification) and access control (unified building security); Alarm.com and Genetec-class platforms offer the most unified experience
- Signalling reliability: prefer dual-path (cellular + IP) communication for any professionally monitored commercial site
Tools
12 tools.
Ajax Systems
Ajax Systems is a wireless intrusion alarm platform pairing a central hub with wireless sensors, sirens, and keypads, managed through cloud mobile and desktop apps with optional professional monitoring.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas, appliance · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential · Key-based access
Alarm.com
Alarm.com is a cloud platform delivering professionally-monitored security through a dealer network, unifying intrusion detection, video surveillance, and access control in a single interactive app.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Vaulted credential
AlarmDecoder
AlarmDecoder is a hardware interface plus an open-source library and daemon that connect to Honeywell Vista and DSC alarm panels, exposing zone and keypad state for self-hosted monitoring and home automation.
License: MIT (OSS) · Kind: service · Deploy: direct · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Deployment Payload
Access & Identity: Vaulted credential · Local host account · Key-based access
Bosch Intrusion
Bosch Intrusion covers the B-Series and G-Series intrusion control panels, IP-connected commercial and residential alarm systems supporting hardwired and wireless zones, multiple areas, and remote programming.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: hybrid · Deploy: appliance · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential · Key-based access
DSC PowerSeries
DSC PowerSeries is a line of hardwired and wireless intrusion alarm control panels (PowerSeries Neo and Pro) from Johnson Controls / Tyco, used in residential and commercial security installations.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: hybrid · Deploy: appliance · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential · Key-based access
Home Assistant
Home Assistant is an open-source home and building automation platform whose Alarm Control Panel and sensor integrations let it serve as a self-hosted security and intrusion-alarm hub with local control.
License: Apache-2.0 (OSS) · Kind: web · Deploy: docker, direct, appliance · SSO: OIDC
ResorsIT usage: Web App with SSO
Access & Identity: Single sign-on · Key-based access
Konnected
Konnected provides open-hardware interface boards and MIT-licensed firmware that connect existing wired alarm sensors and sirens to self-hosted smart-home and home-automation platforms over Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
License: MIT (OSS) · Kind: hybrid · Deploy: direct, appliance · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential · Key-based access
Napco
Napco Gemini intrusion panels and StarLink cellular communicators provide commercial and residential alarm control and monitoring, with hardwired and wireless zones plus cloud-based remote management via iBridge / iSecure.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: hybrid · Deploy: appliance, saas · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential · Key-based access
Qolsys IQ Panel
The Qolsys IQ Panel is an all-in-one touchscreen alarm panel from Johnson Controls, combining an intrusion controller, wireless sensor hub, and keypad, commonly paired with the Alarm.com cloud for interactive services.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: hybrid · Deploy: appliance, saas · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential · Key-based access
Resideo ProSeries
Resideo ProSeries is Honeywell Home / Resideo’s line of intrusion alarm panels (successor to the Vista series), pairing on-premises control panels with the Total Connect cloud monitoring and remote-services platform.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: hybrid · Deploy: appliance, saas · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential · Key-based access
Ring Alarm
Ring Alarm is Amazon’s DIY home security system combining a base station, keypad, and wireless sensors, with self-monitoring or optional low-cost professional monitoring through a Ring Protect subscription.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas, appliance · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential · Key-based access
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe is a DIY wireless home security system built around a base station and wireless sensors, offering self-monitoring or optional professional 24/7 monitoring without long-term contracts.
License: Proprietary (proprietary) · Kind: web · Deploy: saas, appliance · SSO: none
ResorsIT usage: Web App without SSO
Access & Identity: Forward-auth · Vaulted credential · Key-based access
